Ford Door Latch Investigation & Recall

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012, certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, certain 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, and certain 2011 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured November 11, 2009 to May 31, 2013.  The recall is said to affect 456,440 vehicles.

According to Ford Motor Company, a component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe that the door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.  Ford Motor Company admits that if a door is not securely latched, then it could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant..

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Ford Motor Company will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge.  The recall is expected to begin June 1, 2015.  Owners may also contact Ford Motor Company direct at 1-866-436-7332, and should reference recall 15S16. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, or the Ford door latch investigation opened by NHTSA on September 11, 2014, click here.


If you own an affected 2013 or 2014 Ford Fusion, 2013 or 2014 Lincoln MKZ, or 2011-2014 Ford Fiesta, then make sure to get it into an authorized dealer right away. To find a dealer near you, click here.

Do you have a 2013 or 2014 Ford Fusion, 2013 or 2014 Lincoln MKZ, or 2011-2014 Ford Fiesta that experienced a door latch failure, but is still not fixed?  If the vehicle was purchased or repaired in Ohio or Kentucky, then you can call Burdge Law Office on our Toll Free Hotline, 1.888.331.6422, to see if we can help you out of your "lemon" vehicle.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC Recalling Certain 2015 LR4 Vehicles Because Vehicle Safety Systems may be Disabled

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC is recalling certain model year 2015 LR4 vehicles manufactured August 19, 2014 to February 9, 2015.  The recall is said to affect 2,687 vehicles.

According to Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC, due to an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) software error, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Traction Control (TC), and Hill Decent Control (HDC) safety systems may be disabled.  Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC admits that if these safety systems are disabled, a loss of vehicle stability and control may occur, increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will update the ABS software, free of charge.  The recall is expected to begin June 5, 2015.  Owners may also contact Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC direct at 1-800-637-6837, and should reference recall P062. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, and to read additional recall documentation, click here.

If you own a 2015 LR4, then check to see if it is included in the recall and make sure to get it into an authorized dealer right away. To find a dealer near you, click here.

Do you have a 2015 LR4 that experienced a one of the safety system failures above, but is still not fixed?  If the vehicle was purchased or repaired in Ohio or Kentucky, then you can call Burdge Law Office on our Toll Free Hotline, 1.888.331.6422, to see if we can help you out of your "lemon" vehicle.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

Mack Trucks, Inc. Recalls Certain 2015 CXU Trucks Due to Risk of Fire

Mack Trucks, Inc. has recalled certain model year 2015 CXU trucks manufactured between May 20, 2014 and November 12, 2014 equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake actuators manufactured January 9, 2014 to October 28, 2014.  The recall is said to affect 274 trucks.  

According to Mack Trucks, Inc., the affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of the actuator.  And, if the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section.  The air pressure, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, induce brake drag, and result in overheated wheelend service brakes.  Mack Trucks, Inc. admits that this these circumstances increase the risk of a fire. 

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Mack

Trucks, Inc. will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge.  The recall is expected to begin February 27, 2015.  

Owners may also contact Mack Trucks, Inc. direct at 1-610-709-2131, and should reference recall SC0387. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, click here.

If you have a 2015 CXU, then check to see if it is included in the recall and make sure to get it into a Mack Trucks, Inc. authorized dealer for repair.

Do you have a 2015 CXU that has been in the shop repeated times for warranty repairs, but is still not fixed?  If so, call our Toll Free Hotline, 1.888.331.6422, to see if we can help you out of your defective truck today.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 10 Years Running

Chrysler Recalls Vehicles for Inadvertent Airbag Deployment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) has recalled certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles which were manufactured between February 13, 2001 and May 23, 20113, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004.  The recall is said to affect 753,176 vehicles.  

According to Chrysler, electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM) may cause a component in the ECM to fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Chrysler admits that inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Chrysler will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will replace the air bag control module and front and/or side impact sensors as required, free of charge.  The parts are not currently available however, but an interim repair is available that reduces the risk of an inadvertent deployment.  This interim recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of the vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040.  All owners who have not had the recall performed under safety recall 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be available.  According to Chrysler, the replacement parts needed for the final remedy are expected to be available in the latter part of 2015.   

Owners will be mailed an interim notification in late March 2015 and will be mailed a followup notification when the new air bag control modules are available.  Owners may also contact Chrysler direct at 1-800-853-1403, and should reference recall R06. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, and to read additional recall documentation, click here.

If you have a 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty or a 2003-2004 Dodge Viper, then check to see if it is included in the recall and make sure to get it into a Chrysler authorized dealer right away. To find a dealer near you, click here, click on "dealers and vehicles" in the upper right hand corner, and enter your zip code.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 10 Years Running

2015 Jeep Cherokee Under Investigation by Federal Government

The 2015 Jeep Cherokee is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") after a California consumer’s 2015 Jeep Cherokee was allegedly engulfed in 20 foot high flames within seconds of being parked.  

According to a complaint filed by the consumer with NHTSA on January 13, 2015, the California consumer was driving her 2015 Jeep Cherokee when he noticed an oily smell.  The consumer alleges that she parked the vehicle at home, and within seconds the entire vehicle was engulfed in fire with flames up to 20 feet high.  The consumer also alleges that burning oil or fuel ran down the street from the

vehicle over 50 yards. Incredibly, no one was hurt in the incident.  To watch the two videos of the fire apparently captured by two San Diego television stations click here and here.

According to NHTSA, the investigation involves about 50,000 2015 Jeep Cherokees.

Surprisingly, the California fire is not an isolated incident.  A separate complaint was filed with NHTSA by another 2015 Jeep Cherokee owner on January 5, 2015, stating that the vehicle was traveling at 60 miles per hour when the driver noticed smoke under the hood. The vehicle reportedly only had 45 miles on it. 

To read more about the defect investigation, and the consumer complaints submitted to NHTSA, click here and here.

Do you own a 2015 Jeep Cherokee?  Has your vehicle had an oil or fuel odor, an oil or fuel leak, or smoke or flames coming from the engine compartment?  Or, has your Jeep Cherokee been in the shop repeatedly for repairs but the problems are still not fixed?  You may have a lemon!

Take the Ohio Lemon Law Test at www.OhioLemonLaw.com, or in Kentucky at www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com to see if you are entitled to get a new truck or your money back.  If so, call us on our Toll Free Hotline at 1-888-331-6471.  And, if you are thinking about getting a new 2015 Jeep Cherokee, then you may want to hold off until Chrysler figures out how to fix the current models under investigation.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 10 Years Running

General Motors LLC Recalls Police Patrol Vehicles with Safety Defect

General Motors LLC (“GM”) has recalled 7,598 model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicles which were manufactured between March 24, 2011 and December 6, 2013.  

According to GM, the vehicles are equipped with a specific transmission selector lever that contains two pins.  These pins can become displaced and, if they do, the driver may be able to shift the vehicle from “Park” without depressing the brake pedal or remove the ignition key without the transmission being in “Park”.  GM admits that either of these malfunctions could cause an accident and/or increase the risk of injury to occupants and bystanders.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), GM will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will replace the shift lever roll pin, replace the base pivot pin, and attach a break transmission shift interlock retention enhancement clip, all free of charge.  Owners may also contact Chevrolet direct at 1-800-222-1020. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

The company has now reportedly recalled approximately 30,011,650 vehicles in North America this year, after promising to take react more quickly to problems in light of its failure to recall 2.6 million cars with an ignition switch problem for about 11 years.

To read more about the recall, and to read additional recall documentation, click here.

If your police department has a 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, check to see if it is included in the recall and make sure to get it into a GM authorized dealer right away.  To find a dealer near you, click here.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 10 Years Running

A Car Dealer Sold You A Wrecked Car...What Now?

It's illegal for a car dealer to sell you a wrecked car without disclosing the vehicle's true condition to you, but some do.  The car dealer may lie to a consumer about the vehicle's condition, purposefully ignore obvious signs of the vehicle's true condition, keep the vehicle's true condition a secret from the consumer, or just simply not know of the vehicle's checkered past either.

If you discover that your vehicle was in a wreck and suspect the car dealer that sold you the vehicle knew about its wrecked condition, then 

Get a Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report can tell you if the vehicle has been in any reported accidents.  However, it is important to note that if the accident was not reported, then it will not appear on a vehicle history report.  There are three main sources of vehicle history reports online: Carfax, AutoCheck, and NMVTIS.

Carfax is probably the best known and most trusted of the three. You can get a Carfax vehicle history report online for $39.99. According to Carfax, their vehicle history reports check for a long list of problems, including: prior accidents, mileage rollbacks or rollovers, multiple owners, structural damage, lease, taxi, or police use, salvage, rebuilt salvage, other vehicle brands, flood damage, total loss history, airbag deployment, hail damage, recall information, service and maintenance history, warranty information, and more. Carfax claims to have the most extensive vehicle history database in North America, with over 6 billion records. And, according to Carfax, they receive data from over 34,000 different sources. Vehicle history reports can be viewed on your computer, tablet, or smart phone, and CarFax also offers a 100% money back guarantee. To request a Carfax vehicle history report, click here.

AutoCheck is a slightly less well known, but widely used, competitor. You can get an

AutoCheck vehicle history report online for $29.99. According to AutoCheck, their database is built and maintained by Experian, who has exclusive data sharing relationships with many industry sources who provide Experian with access to exclusive data to available to AutoCheck's competitors. AutoCheck also reports that industry leaders such as NADA guides, CarMax, eBay Motors, Kelly Blue Book, and Edmunds.com have chosen to provide AutoCheck vehicle history reports to their customers. AutoCheck recommends that you obtain and AutoCheck vehicle history report in conjunction with other reports to "fill in the gaps" in other vehicle history reports for issues that other providers do not cover. To request an AutoCheck vehicle history report, click here. 

NMVTIS, or the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, was developed by the federal government. A vehicle history report from NMVTIS will cost you anywhere from $0.25 to $4.95. NMVTIS is operated and managed by the US Department of Justice. According to NMVTIS, their database provides records relating to current and previous state of title data, title issue dates, latest odometer data, theft history (if any), any title brands, salvage history, and total loss history. To request a NMVTIS vehicle history report for just 25 cents, click here.

Go to a Body Shop you Trust
Take the vehicle to a body shop you trust to determine if your vehicle was in an accident and to get an estimate for accident repairs.  You should also ask the body shop if the accident damage is something that the car dealer you purchased the vehicle from should have seen or known about if they conducted a pre-delivery inspection of the vehicle.  Make sure to get the estimate in writing in case you need it later on.

Contact your State Attorney General
Most states have a consumer protection agency, which is usually headed by the state’s attorney general.  Contact your Attorney General to see if you can work it out with the car dealer with the Attorney General’s help.  The Attorney General may file a lawsuit against a dealer if the Attorney General finds that the dealer has repeatedly violated consumer protection laws in your state.  However, the Attorney General will not file a lawsuit on your behalf.  That means that if you cannot get the issues resolved with the dealer through the Attorney General, then you will need to contact a private attorney file a lawsuit in order to recover your money.

Contact an Auto Fraud Attorney in your State
If you cannot work things out with the dealer, then you should contact an attorney in your state who practices auto fraud or consumer law.  Attorneys who specialize in that area of law will know car dealers common tricks and scams, and will know what your rights are under your state law.  Many state laws require the dealership to pay your attorney fees, so often attorneys who practice auto fraud or consumer law will review your case for free.  To find an attorney in your state, click here.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com
www.CarSalesFraud.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 10 Years Running